Dishwasher utility basket

ABSTRACT

A dishwasher utility basket is provided for holding utensils to be washed in a horizontal orientation. The basket includes a lattice bottom, opposite side walls, and opposite end walls. Handles are formed in each of the side walls and end walls such that the basket can be picked up by the sides or the ends. Upstanding tines hold the utensils in spaced relation for thorough cleaning. Legs on the bottom of the basket prevent the basket from sliding within the dishwasher rack. The handles allow the basket to be easily placed into the rack and removed from the rack. The basket is also dimensioned so as to fit within a standard kitchen cabinet drawer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Dishwasher utility baskets are well-known for holding utensils to be washed. The most common baskets hang on a sidewall of one of the racks, and hold the utensils in an upright orientation for washing. One problem with such upright baskets is the nesting of silverware, particularly spoons, which may prevent thorough cleaning. Also, utensils can be overloaded in the upright baskets, which also inhibits cleaning.

[0002] Flat utility baskets are also known, which typically sit within or upon a rack and hold the utensils in a horizontal orientation for washing. Such horizontal utility baskets or trays may include tines or other dividers to separate the utensils so that the utensils are not laying upon each other. The shallow depth of such horizontal baskets typically precludes the use of handles for easily removing the basket, as is common on upright baskets.

[0003] Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is an improved dishwasher utility basket.

[0004] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved dishwasher utility basket which holds utensils in a horizontal disposition.

[0005] A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved dishwasher utility basket which maximizes the number of utensils that can be received and holds the utensils separate from one another for thorough cleaning.

[0006] Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved horizontally disposed dishwasher utility basket having handles for easy removal of the loaded basket from the dishwasher.

[0007] A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved dishwasher utility basket adapted to be received on the lowest dishwasher rack.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved dishwasher utility basket that fits into a standard kitchen cabinet drawer.

[0009] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved dishwasher utility basket which is economical to manufacture and durable in use.

[0010] These and other objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The dishwasher utility basket of the present invention comprises an elongated tray having a lattice bottom, opposite side walls, and opposite end walls, with handles formed in each of the side walls and each of the end walls for lifting the tray for removal from a dishwasher rack. The handles are defined by openings in the respective side walls and end walls. The tray includes a plurality of upstanding dividers extending across the width of the tray to provide slots for holding each utensil. Preferably, two rows of dividers are provided toward each end of the basket such that two rows of utensils can be held in spaced relation to one another for thorough cleaning in the basket. The basket is adapted to be received on a lower rack of the dishwasher. Legs are provided on the bottom of the basket to engage with the dishwasher rack to prevent sliding movement of the basket as the rack is moved in and out of the dishwashing chamber. The basket is sized to fit within a standard kitchen cupboard drawer, such that the basket can be removed from the dishwasher and placed fully loaded into the drawer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher having the utility basket of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the utility basket.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the utility basket.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the utility basket.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the utility basket.

[0017]FIG. 6 is an end elevation view of the utility basket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A dishwasher of the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The dishwasher 10 includes a washing chamber 12 and a door 14 movable between open and closed positions relative to the washing chamber 12. The dishwasher 10 includes an upper rack 16, a middle rack 18, and a lower rack 20. The upper and middle racks 16, 18 include upstanding tines for holding plates, bowls, glasses and the like in spaced relation for cleaning. Preferably, the lower rack 20 does not include tines, so as to be substantially open.

[0019] The above construction of the dishwasher 10 and racks 16, 18 and 20 is conventional and does not constitute a part of the present invention.

[0020] The present invention is directed towards a utility basket or tray 22 adapted to hold utensils and similar objects. The utility basket 22 includes a lattice bottom 24, opposite side walls 26, and opposite ends walls 28. Handles 30 are formed in each of the side walls 26, and handles 32 are formed in each of the end walls 28. The handles 30, 32 are defined by openings 34, 36 in the respective side and end walls 26, 28.

[0021] The utility basket 22 includes a plurality of upstanding tines or dividers 38 to hold and separate the utensils for thorough cleaning. The separators 38 prevent nesting of the utensils which inhibits cleaning. Preferably, a first pair of tine rows 40, 42 are provided adjacent one end wall 28, and another pair of tine rows 44, 46 are provided adjacent the opposite end wall 28, as best seen in FIG. 2. Thus, separate rows of utensils can be placed at each end of the basket 22.

[0022] The basket 22 is adapted to be received within the lower rack 20 of the dishwasher 10. Placement in the lower rack 20 is preferred over either the upper rack 16 or the middle rack 18, since the best cleaning action is achieved near the bottom of the washing chamber 12. The basket includes a plurality of short legs 48 extending downwardly from the lattice bottom 24 so as to prevent the basket 22 from sliding in the lower rack 20.

[0023] The handles 30, 32 allow the rack to be picked up on either the sides or the ends. The basket 22 can be loaded on a countertop or in a sink and then easily placed within the lower rack 20 for washing of the utensils. After cleaning, the basket 22 can be removed from the lower rack 20 and unloaded adjacent the kitchen cabinet drawer. Also, the basket 22 is dimensioned so as to fit within a standard kitchen cabinet drawer, without unloading.

[0024] The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A utility basket for holding utensils to be washed in a dishwasher, comprising: an elongated tray having a lattice bottom, opposite side walls, and opposite end walls; a handle formed in each of the side walls and end walls for lifting the tray by the sides and by the ends.
 2. The utility basket of claim 1 wherein each handle is defined by an opening in the associated side wall and end wall.
 3. The utility basket of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of upstanding dividers extending across the width of the tray to provide a separate slot for holding each utensil.
 4. The utility basket of claim 3 wherein two rows of dividers are provided toward each end of the basket.
 5. The utility basket of claim 3 wherein utensils can be placed horizontally within the basket.
 6. The utility basket of claim 1 wherein the basket is adapted to fit in a lower rack of the dishwasher.
 7. The utility basket of claim 6 wherein the basket includes legs to engage the lower rack and prevent sliding movement of the basket.
 8. The utility basket of claim 1 wherein the basket is sized to fit within a cupboard drawer.
 9. The utility basket of claim 1 wherein the tray holds the utensils in side-by-side and end-to-end orientations.
 10. A dishwasher basket for holding utensils to be washed, the utensils having a utility end and a handle, the basket comprising: an elongated lattice bottom; side walls; end walls; and a plurality of rows of tines extending upwardly from the bottom and between the side walls, with a first pair of rows being adjacent one end wall and a second pair of rows being adjacent another end wall.
 11. The dishwasher basket of claim 10 wherein rows of tines hold the utensils in side-by-side and end-to-end orientations.
 12. The dishwasher basket of claim 10 wherein the tines hold the utensils in a horizontal orientation.
 13. The dishwasher basket of claim 10 wherein the side walls and end walls are dimensioned such that the basket is adapted to fit within a standard kitchen cabinet drawer.
 14. The dishwasher basket of claim 10 wherein the basket is adapted to fit in a lower rack of the dishwasher.
 15. The dishwasher basket of claim 10 wherein the basket is adapted to be received within a rack of the dishwasher, and further comprising legs extending downwardly from the bottom to engage the rack and prevent sliding of the basket.
 16. The dishwasher basket of claim 10 further comprising a handle formed on each side wall and each end wall.
 17. The dishwasher basket of claim 16 wherein the handles are defined by openings in the associated side and end walls. 